Green Light for the Next Ocean Giant: Construction Begins on Icon 5 at Meyer Turku

Von Chakie2 - Eigenes Werk, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link
Things are moving again in Finland. On January 19, 2026, a decisive milestone was reached at the Meyer Turku shipyard: The first steel cut for the fifth ship of the Icon class took place. This officially marks the start of construction for another giant for the Royal Caribbean Group. Internally, the project is often simply referred to as "Icon 5." Delivery is scheduled for the summer of 2028.

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More Than Just a Symbol In the shipping industry, steel cutting is far more than just a photo opportunity. With the activation of the computer-controlled plasma cutting system, physical production begins. On Monday, the system cut the first steel plate for the ship's double-bottom section. This area is extremely important later on. It houses tanks for water and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) as well as the foundations for the massive engines. Legally speaking, the ship is now officially registered with the classification society DNV. This often also triggers the release of the first construction financing funds.

Learning from Sister Ships Casimir Lindholm, CEO of Meyer Turku, emphasized the learning effect during the ceremony. Since this is the fifth ship in the series, the shipyard benefits enormously from the experience gained with predecessors like the Icon of the Seas or the Star of the Seas. Processes are well-established, and supply chains are in place. The goal is clear: This ship is to be manufactured with fewer man-hours per ton than the prototype.

Full Docks in Turku The shipyard is currently extremely busy. A look at the site reveals the enormous workload:

  • Icon 3 (Legend of the Seas): Is already at the pier for final outfitting and is scheduled for completion in the summer of 2026.
  • Icon 4: Is in the middle of structural assembly in the dry dock.
  • Icon 5: Is now under construction (steel cutting).
  • Patrol Vessels: In addition, the shipyard is building ships for the Finnish Border Guard.

This requires a logistical masterpiece, especially regarding the use of the giant Goliath crane.

Focus on Technology and Environment Technically, "Icon 5" also relies on proven features but is being refined in detail. The characteristic parabolic bow continues to ensure stability and efficiency in the water. Inside, future guests can look forward to architectural highlights such as "The Pearl" (the supporting sphere inside the ship) and the massive "AquaDome."

Environmental protection remains a major topic. The ship is being built under the influence of the NEcOLEAP research project. The goal is climate neutrality in shipbuilding. Even if "Icon 5" will not yet sail completely emission-free ("Net Zero") upon its delivery in 2028, many innovations are being incorporated. These include better hull coatings, lightweight materials, and heat recovery systems. The giant is primarily powered by LNG, with state-of-the-art technology designed to minimize unwanted methane slip. Furthermore, the ship is designed for shore power and almost complete onboard waste recycling.

A Look into the Future The partnership between Royal Caribbean and Meyer Turku has been contractually extended until 2036. This secures long-term work for the shipyard and the coveted building slots for these complex ships for the cruise line. For Finland, this is an important economic factor, as about 70 percent of the added value remains in the country.

When "Icon 5" sets sail in the summer of 2028, more than two years of hard work will lie behind the engineers and workers. We remain curious to see what name the new ship will bear.